Masked Gunmen Send Chilling Warning to British Tourists Visiting Popular Holiday Island
A group of masked and armed Corsican separatists has delivered a strong warning to people thinking about moving to the Mediterranean island or buying a second home there.
Around a dozen hooded members of the Corsican National Liberation Front–Union of Combatants, known as the FLNC-UC, appeared together in a video. Several of them were carrying guns as a man believed to be the group’s leader read out a statement.
Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean known for its beautiful beaches, mountains and peaceful villages.
It attracts large numbers of visitors every year, including tourists from Britain and other parts of Europe. However, the separatist group’s warning was mainly aimed at outsiders who want to settle permanently on the island or purchase properties to use as holiday homes.
The FLNC-UC is campaigning for Corsica to become independent from France. Its members believe the island should have greater control over its land, culture, language and political future.
In the video, the group claimed that people from outside Corsica were buying too many homes and making it more difficult for local families to find affordable places to live. It described the growing number of newcomers as a form of settlement-driven colonisation.
The man believed to be leading the group said that until Corsica’s national rights were officially recognised and respected, it had only one message for outsiders: “Stay at home.”
The group also made a worrying statement about people who purchase second homes on the island, saying they “shouldn’t feel safe.” The comments have caused serious concern because of the group’s history and the presence of weapons in the video.
French authorities are now treating the matter seriously. The country’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has opened a preliminary investigation following the release of the video. The investigation is reportedly focused on suspected involvement in a conspiracy to carry out terrorist acts.
The warning came as the FLNC-UC rejected a proposed constitutional agreement that would give Corsica more autonomy while keeping the island under French rule.
The proposed law was approved by France’s National Assembly on June 23 and is expected to be considered by the Senate from October 21. If it moves forward, it would officially recognise Corsica as a distinct historical, cultural and linguistic community.
It would also give the island’s local assembly more power to make decisions about certain matters affecting Corsica. However, the island would remain part of France and would not become an independent country.
For the FLNC-UC, these changes do not go far enough. The group wants full independence and appears unwilling to accept a deal that leaves Corsica under French control.
The release of the armed video has increased tensions surrounding the island’s political future. While many people support peaceful discussions about greater Corsican autonomy, the threatening language used by the masked group has raised fears about possible violence.
Authorities will now examine the video, identify those involved and determine whether the statements amount to criminal threats or preparations for terrorist activity.
Meanwhile, people planning to move to Corsica or buy second homes there have been left facing a chilling warning from the separatist organisation.
